PALMDALE – Jose Garay set lofty standards for his final season with the Palmdale High boys’ soccer team. His pursuit of the school’s single-season scoring record is just part of his quest to make this a memorable season for the Falcons.

With Garay ranking among the region’s hottest scores, Palmdale (11-0-3) is off to one of the area’s best starts just a season after finishing last in the Golden League, ahead of newcomer Knight. Garay, a senior forward, has 19 goals through 14 games for the undefeated Falcons.

Garay doesn’t like to take credit for Palmdale’s turnaround, but he is the one opponents are flocking to cover.

“I was kind of expecting us to do better this year because of our experience,” he said, noting the team’s 13 seniors.

“It’s not like I’m the only person on the team scoring goals, we have other good players. But it’s definitely nice to know that I’ve been able to score so many goals in not many games. It feels good.”

At most schools, Garay would be closing in on the season scoring record. At Palmdale, he’s not even halfway there. Mike Dibbini, a 1994 graduate who now coaches at Kansas Wesleyan University, holds the Falcons’ record of 44 goals in a season. Garay is being recruited by Dibbini and is using the Dibbini’s record as motivation to keep improving.

“That’s a lot,” Garay said of the record. “I don’t even think I’d be able to score that many, but it’s something to aim for. That would be a big accomplishment.”

Garay netted 26 goals last season before missing the final weeks of the season for academic reasons.

“I think he’s probably the top forward in the Golden League,” said Palmdale first-year coach Jarrod Cline. “He’s definitely in the top two or three, if not the top. He’s really quick, really fast and he’s good on the ball. He’s able to take defenders on.”

Garay would likely have even more goals if it wasn’t for another attribute that benefits the team.

“He’s not selfish,” Cline said. “He’ll give it up and take the assist, if that’s what’s best.”

The Falcons are loaded with scoring options, and the defense does a good job of ensuring Palmdale is often on the offensive. The Falcons, who have eight shutouts, made their second tournament semifinal appearance last week at the Hart of Newhall Tournament, but were eliminated on penalty kicks.

The next challenge is league play and earning a postseason berth.

“I think were ready for league, definitely,” said Garay, who team opens at Lancaster on Friday. “I think it’s going to be hard, but we’re ready. I think well do better this year.

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